JOB DETAILS

Under the guidance of the MENA desk lead, serve as focal point for the overall coordination of humanitarian action (encompassing preparedness, response, post-crisis recovery, and integrated planning) in a defined allocation of countries/regions working in close collaboration with HQ inter-divisional focal points, inter-agency partners, Country Offices (COs) and Regional Offices (ROs). This role requires frequent travel to the field to support and coordinate humanitarian responses directly.

1. Serve as focal point for the analysis and review of humanitarian responses in an allocation of region(s), supporting UNICEF’s response in sudden-onset, chronic and protracted crises, as well as health emergencies.
2. Ensure timely and efficient coordination of HQ support (technical, financial, human resource, security, policy/advocacy) and direct assistance to CO/RO to enable quality humanitarian action in line with the Core Commitments for Children humanitarian action (CCCs) and new Emergency Procedures.
3. Assist RO and COs in critical phases of preparedness, and humanitarian response including through mission travel. Support complex emergency countries during strategic moments of interagency assessment and planning, including planning for integrated UN presences.
4. Through UNICEF’s Emergency Operations Centre (OPSCEN), other EMOPs sections and other HQ divisions, in close contact with CO, RO and sister UN agencies, monitor emerging humanitarian political, and recovery trends, and potential socio-political instability. Identify potential humanitarian risks and strategies for preparedness and risk reduction before a new crisis occurs and best approaches for UNICEF to engage in early recovery and transition processes.
5. In collaboration with COs, ROs, and key HQ Divisions, provide guidance and coordinate the preparation and review of humanitarian appeals, as well as related resource mobilization documents (including EPF, CERF and others).
6. Provide UNICEF senior leadership (including within EMOPS) with timely updates and analysis on the impact of humanitarian crises in assigned countries. Provide inputs for UNICEF documentation/reports such as updates to the Executive Board, inputs to reports by the Secretary General as well as his Special Representatives and the Executive Committee/Deputies Committee, as required.
7. Ensure key interagency advocacy/ coordination fora related to emergency response, crisis management and integrated assessment/planning are informed by UNICEF’s priorities and reflect a child-centred narrative. Engage with member states on key humanitarian crises through public and private advocacy.
8. Serve as back-up to Supervisor and other Emergency Specialists in his/her absence.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Advanced University degree in International Relations, Public Administration/Public Policy, Humanitarian Affairs, Development, Social Sciences, or a related technical field
• Work Experience: At least eight [8] years of progressively responsible work experience at the international and national level in developing countries is required.
• Skills: Knowledge and field experience of UNICEF programmes and prior emergency response experience with UNICEF especially in complex humanitarian environment is required.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in both written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of Arabic, French and other UN languages is a strong asset.